Historical information

Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. In 1937 The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. The Library was situated beside the Town Hall. In 1954, Rowland Chipperfield, City Building Surveyor, designed a new library with a new Children's section and extensions to the adult library. In 1973 when the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. By 1987, Kew Library had moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the Alexandra Gardens. The present library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987.

Physical description

Colourised photograph of exterior of new Children's Library and Adult Reference Extension to Kew Municipal Library, Walpole Street, Kew, c.1954-1960. Shows single-storey modernist extension with flat roof, huge steel-framed multi-pane corner window and long window to right, exterior walls painted terra cotta pink, pot plants on windowsills, glass door with steps up from footpath, Walpole Street in foreground, red-brick former Town Hall behind at right, gabled roof of older timber cottage at far left.